Episode 70
Time management may seem like a lost cause, especially in property management, with many stating that there is never enough time to accomplish tasks. But is this always the case? Or could our mindset of too many to-do’s be sabotaging us?
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Host(s): Jonathan Saar from Market Me Social and Mark Howell from Howl Creative Concepts
Show Highlights
How many sticky notes are on your desk right now? Or how many reminders are pending on your calendar? Just looking at these can bring a sense of dread that you will never be able to get to the bottom of all these to-do lists. This article will share three steps to getting your to-do lists under control and share how your mindset affects not only you but your team members as well.
Key Questions/Topics Covered
Celebrate the achievement, no matter how small
Why is this important? Well, what will push you to tackle more complex tasks if you aren’t finding satisfaction in small accomplishments? If you are always focused on the next thing that needs to be done, you will quickly find yourself and your team members burning out. You need to check your mindset. Are you always focused on what you did or what you didn’t accomplish? What kind of example are you setting for your team?
You need to take time to celebrate achievements, no matter how small. It doesn’t have to be a huge party or happy hour every time, but a quick break with your team with some coffee or other treat is the perfect micro celebration. Mark likes to call it “dating your employees” (not like that, no HR issues here!) Use this time to check in and allow everyone the space to reflect on what they have accomplished in their day. You can keep your team happy and motivated by taking the time to celebrate everyone’s achievements.
Breaking the cycle of always having to do something
First, let’s clarify: There is nothing wrong with being busy. Many people thrive when fully engaged. But what is your balance? What is your “why” for what you are doing? We talk a lot about work-life balance because it is so important. So if you are the type of person who always needs to be doing something, just make sure that includes other things outside of work. Find a hobby, and spend time with family and friends. Figure out when your best time to work is and build your workflow around that interspersed with your much-needed downtime things to do.
Gain more by doing less
Here we have another “pipe dream” scenario. But, again, is it? There are many ways that you can streamline your to-do lists and accomplish more in less time. One is by embracing technology. Many new and emerging technologies are being built specifically for our industry. Have you taken advantage of them? What about delegation? The belief that you are the only person that can handle a specific task is an easy trap to fall into. This type of thinking will not only burn you out, you are fostering an environment where no one has the opportunity to learn and grow their skillset. You are basically telling your team that you do not trust them. So go ahead and share the workload and watch your list disappear.
To summarize, humans are built to find fulfillment in their work. So take a step back, celebrate the small and large achievements, maintain your work-life balance, and embrace ways to build up your team through a balanced workflow and positive reflection.
Class dismissed!
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